Coronation Street actor Bill Roache, 88, has secretly battled Covid.
The icon British actor fell ill earlier this year with the virus and was forced to take time away from the show.
He has opted to keen details about the ordeal to his friends and family but after news broke, ITV decided to give more details on his behalf.
“Following recent reports about his health, William Roache has asked us to clarify that he took time off work after testing positive for Covid,” a spokeswoman for ITV said.
They added: “He has recovered well and is looking forward to returning to the cobbles as soon as possible.”
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A source told The Mirror that Coronation Street writers are currently penning new storylines which involve Ken.
The unnamed insider added that they are “currently limiting the time we are filming with the more elderly cast during the pandemic.”
While Ken is the oldest cast member, he is closely followed in age by Barbara Knox, 86, who plays Rita, Sue Nicholls, 77, who plays Audrey, and David Neilson, 72, who plays Roy.
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A source said: “[Bill] He is doing really well and is looking forward to returning. Bill is such a well loved member of the team and everyone is delighted he has recovered so well.
We can’t wait to have him back.”
Bill recently insisted that retirement is off the cards.
Speaking on This Morning, the actor explained how he hasn’t even thought about putting up his feet and calling it a day.
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Bill has been on the soap since the first episode in 1960 making him the longest running soapstar.
Bill said: “While I can do it and they want me, I will be there.
“Retirement is not on the radar at all, I have no plans for that.
“I don’t even like to think about how they’d write Ken out if I did leave, because hopefully that is never going to happen.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
